Obituaries, Week of June 1, 2017

HOWARD R. WILSON

VASSALBORO – Howard R. Wilson, 81, of Vassalboro, passed away Thursday May 11, 2017, at the Togus VA Pallative Care Unit, in Augusta. Howard was born on August 10,1935, in Augusta, to his parents Lew A. Wilson and Rena (Barrows) Wilson.

He attended Cony High School for a while and then joined the U.S. Air Force where he earned his GED and graduated courses for jet bomber mechanic. He received the National Defense Medal and Good Conduct Medal as well as earning the rank of First Class Airman A/C-1.

While serving he met and married the former Dorothy A. Holm, and they had eight children together .

During the course of his life he worked various positions – a heat treat operator at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, in Middletown, Connecticut, jet mechanic, and multiple laboring positions over the years and then retired after many years of service from Cives Steel, in Augusta.

He loved fishing, boating, hunting and gardening (he had quite a green thumb). He loved to lawn sale, pick fiddleheads, and putter with his tractor and various projects. He loved to feed his wild animals – birds, squirrels, raccoons. He spent many an hour fixing their food.

He was predeceased by his wife Donna M. (Tweedie) Wilson; his parents; and first wife Dorothy.

He is survived by his eight children, Julie White and husband Keith, Gerald Wilson and wife Brenda, Robert Wilson, Guy Wilson, Suzanne Dudley, Clay Wilson, Stacey Wilson and wife Renee, Lisa Emery and husband Don; his two sisters, Judith Ashby, Jane Johnson and his brother Stanley Wilson; multiple stepchildren; and numerous grandchildren.

LYNETTE W. SIMS

VASSALBORO – Lynnette (Weston) Sims, “Lynnie,” passed away peacefully at her home, in Vassalboro, on May 20, 2017, following a courageous battle with ALS. She was born November 16, 1961, in Augusta.

She also lived in Hallowell, Coopers Mills, Waterville and Vassalboro.

She was predeceased by her mother Isabelle (Lincoln), her father Hubert Weston, and her brothers Douglas and Martin Weston.

She is survived by her husband and best friend, John Sims, of Vassalboro; her daughter Jacinth Allard, her husband Zachary, and grandson Mason, of China; her son Thomas Sims and his wife Asia Alexis-Sims, and expected baby, of Waterville; her mother-in-law Jean Sims; her sisters, Donna, Joyce, and Christine; along with cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Lynnette was a graduate of Erskine Academy Class of 1980.

Lynnette was employed at L.L.Bean for over 15 years. Lynnie grew up riding and training horses, and loved telling stories of trail rides she took, while ringing bells to warn off bears. She loved to dance, and won numerous competitions in her “hey-day.”

She was an active participant at her children’s school, volunteering baked goods, assisting teachers, helping with field trips, and being a Girl Scout leader for numerous years.

Lynnie’s biggest joy in life was her family. She loved spending time and causing trouble with her sisters: a mysteriously epic outhouse fire, a few pumpkins wandering off, and numerous late night giggle sessions with cousins and a famous “talent.” She supported her husband’s fishing addiction while reading romance novels in the canoe.

ROBERTA J. McPHETERS

FAIRFIELD – Roberta (Bobbie) Joyce McPheters, of Fairfield, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 21, 2017. Bobbie was born in Waterville on June 10, 1935, to Madeline Dunn.

She graduated from Waterville High School.

Bobbie worked as a bookkeeper and office manager for a few different companies over the years. After retirement she often told wonderful, detailed stories about her experiences and the people she worked with at North Street Dairy, Sterns Department Store and Bill’s Tire Company, all in Waterville.

She married Mark McPheters in 1955 and they were married 62 years. At recent family weddings they easily won the generation dances. Throughout the years Bobbie was a member of various organizations and volunteered her time for Eastern Star, Rainbow Girls, Fairfield Woman’s Club, The First Baptist Church, in Waterville, and as a Fairfield town ballot clerk. All who knew Bobbie knew that what made her the most happy was working on her endless knitting, sewing, paper crafts projects and reading books. A shopping trip to Yard Goods Cent4er, in Waterville, was her favorite activity. Her little known paintings and charcoal drawings are also treasured by family.

Bobbie is remembered for her generosity, determination, patience, willingness to listen, common sense advice and her wit.

She is survived by her husband Mark McPheters; her son Mark McPheters II and his wife Lynn of Richmond, her daughter Mary Scanlon and her husband Neil of Bethel; her sister Mary Merrick and her husband Jimmy of Fairfield; her beloved nieces, Barbara Guimond and Lenette MacDonald and their families; her loving grandchildren Kaitlin Hilchey, Benjamin McPheters, Cody-Ann Scanlon and Cassidy Scanlon; and great grandchildren Sophie Harbaugh and Jolene McPheters.

MARK V. GOLDEN

OAKLAND – Mark Vincent Golden, 58, died Monday, May 22, 2017, at Gray Birch Long Term Care, in Augusta. Mark was born on November 2, 1958, to Dorothea Cunningham Golden.

He was raised by his mother and stepfather, Eugene Sipowicz. Mark attended school in Hallowell and Readfield and was among the first class to graduate at Maranacook High School in 1977.

He received a scholarship at graduation and attended Texas Bible College, in Texas. While in Texas he was employed at the Johnson Space Center. When he returned to Maine he followed his dream and started his own business as a landscaper and became a licensed master arborist. For 30 years Mark left his “golden touch” in every county except Aroostook. In 2012, Mark was proud to have completed his A.S. degree in Theology through correspondence courses.

Mark has always been an avid Red Sox fan. He even caught a fly ball at Fenway Park and players autographed it after the game.

He was predeceased by his mother, Dorothea Sipowicz, stepfather, Eugene Sipowicz; and brother-in-law Donald Carleton.

Mark is survived by his sons Derek Baker and Jesse Baker, of Randolph, and daughter Markayla Morris, of Skowhegan; his sisters and brothers, Judy Carleton, John (Wayne) Golden, Paul Golden, Carollee Robinson, Karen O’Brien, and Gale Hasenfus as well as several nieces and nephews.

STORMY A. GUZZO

BENTON – Stormy Angel Guzzo, 17, of Benton, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 23, 2017, as the result of a tragic automobile accident. She was born in Waterville on October 3, 1999, the daughter of Lori Tozier and Raymond Guzzo.

She attended Lawrence High School, Dean Baker Academy.

Stormy was employed at her dad’s wood lot as a crew chief and wood cutter. She was also a winger for Fairfield PAL hockey and participated in the Christian Dutch Reformed Church, in Newport.

Stormy enjoyed all types of music, going fishing, hunting, and trapping, working on her Cummings Diesel, and was an excellent photographer, taking photos of all the above and beautiful photos of sunsets and scenery.

She was predeceased by her grandparents, Herbert and Rose Tozier and Anthony and Louise Guzzo.

Stormy will be greatly missed by her mother and stepfather, Lori Tozier and Jeffrey Maitland, of Benton, her father and his significant other, Raymond Guzzo and Donna Ward, of Benton; her brothers, Steven Guzzo, of Newburg, New York, Anthony Guzzo, of Middletown, New York Thomas Tozier, of Ft. Benning, Georgia, and Hunter Guzzo, of Benton; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.lawrybrothers.com.

THERESA F. HARRISON

ALBION – Theresa F. Harrison, of Albion, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, in Albion. She was born in Wilton on April 6, 1930, the daughter of the late Stanley and Anna Costello.

She married Augustus Harrison and the couple shared over 50 years of marriage until his passing.

Theresa retired from C.F. Hathaway Co., in Waterville, following 47 years of dedicated service.

Her greatest joy was when she was with family and friends. Theresa enjoyed many summers on Unity Pond, lobster and clam cookouts (where she always made sure there was plenty to eat), and she truly loved her cats and any other cats that would wonder over to her door. She was also a big New England sports fan.

She and her husband also enjoyed their weekly adventure of following harness racing throughout the state. Theresa always wanted to drive to Florida and see the sights. Her son Greg made that happen; she loved the view through the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Poconos, and while in Florida, she enjoyed her thrift shops, yard sales, flea markets, and of course the warm weather.

Besides her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by her son, John Harrison, her daughter, Brenda Rich. her son-in-law, Roger Rich; her brothers, Stanley and Edward Costello, and her sisters, Helen Sylvester, Celia Hunt, and Jenny Bessey.

Theresa will be sadly missed by her sons, Mike Harrison, of Winslow, Steven Harrison and his wife Jennifer, and Greg Harrison and his wife Arlene, all of Albion; 13 grandchildren; 21 great- grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.lawrybrothers.com.

JOHN W. SHORT JR.

FAIRFIELD – John W. Short Sr., 75, passed away in Waterville on Tuesday, May 23, 2017. John Short was born on March 23, 1942, in Fairfield, the son of Frederick H. Short Sr. and Ethel B. (Towle) Short.

He was a graduate of Lawrence High School, class of 1961 and went into the Army National Guard where he was stationed in West Point, New York.

John’s teenage years were spent with the pedal to the metal as a teenager doing timed street racing in Florida.

John was a proud ironworker and master welder of Local #496, working throughout the state of Maine. In later years, he went on to drive milk truck for the late Butch Clark of Clark Milk Transport out of Canaan.

He was a member of the NRA, American Legion, Elks Lodge and attended the East Benton Christian Church.

John was a life-long, avid sportsman and believed hunting and fishing was more than just a sport, it was a lifestyle where quality family time and cherished memories could be made. He truly lived up to Maine’s saying, “Maine, the way life should be.” It is agreed by all, that some of the fondest family memories was time spent camping at Cathedral Pines, in Eustis.

John was predeceased by his parents; his first wife, Joan (Letourneau) Short of 42 years; son Frederick H. Short IV; and friend, Pat Deblois.

He is survived by his wife, Mary (Dixon) Short; his children, Dana J. Short, Debra Short, widow to the late Fred Short, Tina and David Newell, John and Ali Short, and David A. Short; his brother, Mike Bowman; his grandchildren, Dave Newell II and his fiancé, Nicole Gagnon, Katie-Lyn and husband Josh Lund, John J. Short and his fiancé, Dana Germain, Brian L. Short and his wife, Brittany, Trisha and Katrina Morey, Theresa and Matt Stowe, Jessica Morey; and many great-grandchildren.

An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.lawrybrothers.com.

SANDRA J. LANGUET

BENTON – Sandra J. Languet, 66, of Benton, passed away unexpectedly at home on Tuesday, May 23, 2017. Sandra was born in Hart­ford, Conn­ecticut, on February 21, 1951, to Phildora Boulett and Wentworth Carr.

Sandra was retired, but previously worked at the Senator and Keyes Fibre.

She was predeceased by her parents; and her brother, Arnold Corson.

She is survived by her daughter, Barrett J. Benedict; her grandchildren, Leighton J. Benedict and Logan K. Benedict; her brothers, Delmont Corson and Richard Carr; and her nieces and nephews.

An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.lawrybrothers.com.

OTHERS DEPARTED

DANIEL A. HAWES, 69, of Waterville, passed away on Monday, May 22, 2017, at his home. He was born September 25, 1947, in Waterville, the son of the late Mark A. Proctor and the late Anita E. (Parady) Violette. Locally, he is survived by daughters Sheri LaVerdiere and husband Bryant, and Kelly LaChance, all of Fairfield; three sons, Randy Hawes, of Waterville, Daniel Hawes and wife Tonia, and Jerry Hawes, all of Fairfield. Memorial donations may be made to MaineGeneral and HomeCare and Hospice, PO Box 828, Waterville, ME 04903-0828.

FORMER RESIDENT

MURIEL P. FRYE, 92, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2017, at the Mennonite Home, in Lancaster. She lived in Waterville for many years with her husband Miles P. Frye on Bartlett Street. She went to school at the University of Maine and got her bachelor’s degree, and went on to get a masters degree at the New York School of Social Work. Not many women of her generation went on to an advanced degree. She became involved in many organizations volunteering her time to include the Home for the Mentally Retarded, was President of the Woman’s Garden Club, became a member of the school board for the Watervile local school system, and was a director at the Sunset Home. Her crowning achievement was becoming an advocate for the local technical college, Kennebec Valley Community College, helping them to get enough funding to build an entirely new campus and grow exponentially. Her assistance was rewarded with a building being named after her which to this day is called The Muriel P. Frye building. Muriel had two children, daughter Rebecca Frye Marin whose husband is Dan Marin, and son Andrew Miles Frye whose wife is Gladys Frye. She had three grandchildren, granddaughter Stephanie Purnell whose husband is Kevin Purnell II, granddaughter Andrea Frye and grandson Miles Reed Frye. She also was fortunate enough to have two great-grandchildren, Brynn Purnell and Korbin Purnell. Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.